How Kids Talk to Santa

University of Scranton psychology professor Carole Slotterback analyzed about five years’ worth of children’s letters to Santa that were sent to her city’s central post office. Kids asked for everything from Pokemon cards to a mother, but, Slotterback found, few of them were very polite; there was even a death threat. The letters also reflected kids’ awareness of current events — like patriotic-sleigh drawings, fewer toy requests after 9/11, and hand-drawn “stamps” during the recession. Related: Vancouver Sun blogger Chad Skelton discusses whether believing in Santa is good or bad for kids. [%comments]